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Feeling out of Place at a Predominantly Wealthy University

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The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Mich chapter.

Coming to the University of Michigan, I knew I would be met with classmates who went to boarding schools, lived in some of the richest cities in America, and maybe never even held a job before. It’s something that comes with the sticker price and reputation of a Michigan education. When people from my high school found out I was actually going to Michigan as an out-of-state student, the most frequent comment I got wasn’t “Wow, that’s so cool!” but rather “How are you paying for that?” The truth is, I had no idea. Michigan was my dream school, and I didn’t want the tuition to get in the way of my being able to attend (especially since I cried happy tears for hours after opening my decision letter), but I had to consider if it was truly worth it. With a combination of gut instinct, the knowledge that Michigan has one of the biggest alumni networks in the world, my mom’s support, and pure adrenaline, I paid the registration fee.

I first toured U of M the winter of my junior year of high school, and within hours I was Googling “Canada Goose.” I had no idea how I had never heard of these super nice coats everyone seemed to be wearing, but I quickly realized after scrolling for a minute on the website why my small town in Ohio didn’t boast the brand. As my freshman year at Michigan marched on, I was frequently introduced to other brands whose existence I had no knowledge of. It was interesting, almost as if I was experiencing a weird form of culture shock. At times, I fell into the dangerous mindset of never being satisfied. I watched my bank account suffer as I ordered more clothes and shoes while going out to eat more than I should’ve. I realized that, along with making bad financial decisions, I’d become a victim of overconsumption when I entered this new environment. After taking a step back, my second semester of freshman year consisted of better planning and bouncing back after careless spending.

As a current second-year student, I think a lot less about “fitting in” among my classmates and more about making the correct personal choices. For example, I tend to limit spending money on expensive food and clothes during the school year. Most students are okay with eating in dining halls, anyway, since they are so convenient and usually have enough options. Also, I’ve found that holding an on-campus job with flexible hours is a great way to give myself extra spending money, especially since most of these jobs pay well and sometimes allow students time to do homework during breaks.

Regardless, since coming to Michigan, I feel as if my viewpoint has been broadened and things that once seemed out of reach are much closer. For example, I never thought I would have the opportunity to study abroad in Europe, but I’m now planning on applying for programs in Ireland and Spain this summer because of the notion that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and thanks to the scholarships that Michigan offers. This year, I’ve also been interviewing for lab positions through the UROP program, as I’ve wanted to gain valuable experience in a lab setting for years. So far in my interview process, I’ve met many accomplished individuals who inspire me to take advantage of all Michigan has to offer and have boosted my resumĂ© before applying to grad school. I feel like I’ve been able to “dream big” for the first time in a while since I’ve been surrounded by high-achieving students and friends who genuinely want the best for me.

When I’m feeling out of place, I’ve found it incredibly helpful to remember that regardless of where all Michigan students come from, we all have one common goal. Despite my looming student loans, I am so thankful I chose this school and genuinely have no regrets. I feel as if the opportunities I have gotten as a student here, whether they come from clubs I’m in or classes I take, are seriously unmatched. I am the happiest I’ve ever been here, and if I could do it all over again there is no way I wouldn’t choose Michigan. 

Faith is a current sophomore at the University of Michigan studying Biology, Health, and Society in hopes of obtaining a career in healthcare. She is passionate about Michigan sports, music and film, the environment, and mental/physical wellness